What to Know About Driving in Miami

One of the most exciting parts about visiting Greater Miami and Miami Beach is the variety of diverse neighborhoods you can explore in a single day. While many of these areas are easily navigable via sidewalks and bicycles, getting from one neighborhood to the next in Miami is typically best achieved by car.

Luckily, there are more than 100 rental car companies across the destination, so if you’d rather explore on your own time rather than taking a taxi or ride share, you should have no problem finding a vehicle that meets your budget and preferences. If you’re new to the destination or visiting for the first time, our guide to driving in Miami will give you the confidence you need to get out on the road and navigate stress-free.  

Driving & Traffic Regulations

• Keep your driver’s license and proof of insurance, registration or car rental documents with you at all times.
• Drive on the right-hand side of the road.
• Right turns after a full stop are permitted at red lights unless otherwise indicated.
• Always note posted speed limits: 15 mph in school zones, 30 mph in business or residential areas.
• Be aware that speed limits in certain areas, like those under construction, change frequently and will often change the local acceptable speed.
• Expressways usually range from 55 to 70 mph unless road conditions warrant lower speeds.
• All passengers must wear seat belts.
• Children under five years old must be fastened securely in government-approved car seats.
• Texting while driving is not allowed.
• In the case of rain or fog, turn on your car’s windshield wipers and headlights (not hazard lights; they are only meant to be used if the vehicle is not moving).

For more information, please visit the Division of Driver Licenses. DMVs hours vary by location.

Understanding Miami’s Main Highways

The best way to get to know Miami roads is to start by learning about the three main highways.  

Interstate 95, or I-95, is the main interstate that runs north-south through the eastern side of the destination. If you are driving on the road to Miami from other South Florida destinations, like Fort Lauderdale or West Palm Beach, you can use this north-south route, which runs through Miami Gardens, Downtown Miami and Brickell. Additionally, you can use I-95 southbound to access US-1, which takes you to Coconut Grove and Coral Gables. If you continue driving on US-1 far enough, though, you’ll be en route to the Florida Keys.

The Dolphin Expressway, or SR 836, is the main east-west highway that spans from the Miami International Airport (MIA) to Downtown Miami and connects to I-95. This is the most convenient highway to take if you’re coming from the airport or western suburbs like Doral, if your goal is to reach Downtown Miami or Miami Beach. The Dolphin Expressway can connect you to the Palmetto Expressway or Florida’s Turnpike, or SR 821. 

The Palmetto Expressway, or SR 826, is a beltway with north-south and west-east curves designed to get around the western and northern parts of Miami. Called “The Palmetto” for short, this road is the best way to drive between suburbs like North Miami Beach, Doral and Hialeah. The Palmetto also connects to Interstate 75, or I-75, the Dolphin Expressway and Florida’s Turnpike. 

Miami Tolls

Paying tolls while you drive in Miami is efficient and seamless. Most areas no longer use toll booths, which means you'll pay electronically.

When you rent a car in Miami from a major rental car company,  any tolls you go through will get billed to the rental car company, and you will then receive a bill from the rental car company at a later date. You’ll typically incur additional service fees from the rental car company, so make sure to ask your rental car company about their toll payment policies. 

Toll-By-Plate operates on a camera system, where a camera on the highway snaps a photo of your license plate as you pass through designated toll points. The bill (which includes administrative fees) is then mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. When you rent a car, the bill is sent to the rental car company directly. 

The other system runs off a physical prepaid transponder, known as SunPass. When there’s a registered and active SunPass in your car, the tolls are deducted from the balance; this is the default over Toll-by-Plate, as long as the SunPass transponder is readable. SunPass works statewide in Florida. The Toll-by-Plate and SunPass cost of tolls varies depending on the expressway or road you take, but fees are cheaper (by as much as half the price) when using a SunPass. The SunPass Toll Calculator is a handy tool for estimates. 

If you are driving your own car, you can purchase your own SunPass transponder or mini sticker to attach to the inside of your car. 

Get Driving Updates About Road Conditions with Florida 511

To stay on top of traffic, road closures, accidents, construction updates and more by downloading the Florida 511 (FL511) mobile app. It’s a free service offered by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and can also help you estimate toll prices for express lanes and travel times with alternative routes. There are also live camera feeds from highways and causeways. Plus, you can receive weather and emergency-related alerts. 

Parking Tips for Visitors

When exploring Miami by car, you’ll notice there’s both street parking and parking garages. Street parking is charged hourly, by use of third-party apps like PayByPhone, ParkMobile and SpotHero. While some parking garages are public, and also operate using these apps and rates, other parking garages are privately owned, which can mean higher hourly or flat-rate parking fees.

Miami Parking Authority operates most of the public parking spaces in several Miami neighborhoods, including public lots, metered street parking and garages. The easiest way to pay for parking is to download the Apple or Android PaybyPhone app. 

The City of Miami Beach manages parking in Miami Beach. Watch carefully for signs that state whether street parking is for residents only or is available to the public. The easiest way to pay for parking in Miami Beach is to download one of their parking apps. And because parking can sometimes be scarce (especially during peak travel times), we recommend using the Apple or Android ParkMe - Miami Beach app, which will show you instantly where parking spots are available.

Rush Hour in Miami

As you plan your mornings and evenings during weekdays, Miami traffic is important to consider, especially if you have tickets for a show or an event, or a restaurant reservation to catch. Morning rush hour for Miami drivers tends to fall between 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., peaking between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Expect inbound congestion near Downtown Miami, Brickell, Coral Gables and Doral. The afternoon and evening rush hour takes place between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., and peaks between 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; especially outbound from Downtown Miami and major office areas.

When you’re commuting by car from MIA (the airport), it can be helpful to know the approximate drive times to popular spots. A few ETAs to keep in mind:

Accessing Key Areas By Car

When you’re commuting by car from MIA (the airport), it can be helpful to know the approximate drive times to popular spots. A few ETAs to keep in mind:

• MIA to South Beach: up to 25 minutes; up to 1 hour (rush hour)
• MIA to Wynwood: up to 20 minutes; up to 40 minutes (rush hour)
• MIA to Brickell: up to 20 minutes; up to 45 minutes (rush hour)
• MIA to Coral Gables: up to 15 minutes; up to 35 minutes (rush hour)
• MIA to Little Havana: up to 12 minutes; up to 25 minutes (rush hour)

Scenic Drives in Miami to Bookmark 

If you’re still asking yourself, “Do I need a car in Miami?” the answer is still a resounding yes. From city skylines to Art Deco architecture to stunning water views, driving in Miami is a great way to take in the essence of the destination. 

MacArthur Causeway, which takes you from Downtown Miami to South Beach, is a feast for the eyes; you’ll see cruise ships anchored in the Port of Miami, glistening Biscayne Bay and Fisher Island. The skies are especially beautiful while crossing over the bridges at sunrise or sunset.

 Ocean Drive is quintessential South Beach, dotted with iconic palm trees, decorated with historical Art Deco hotels, illuminated with neon signs and overflowing with beachgoers — especially along Lummus Park, which runs parallel to the ocean. 

Rickenbacker Causeway is the route you take to get from Brickell and Downtown Miami to Virginia Key and Key Biscayne. It’s a popular spot for runners, bikers and rollerbladers with breathtaking water views on both sides of the car, offering exceptional angles of the Downtown Miami skyline. Note: There’s a small toll. 

Old Cutler Road runs from Coral Gables to Palmetto Bay, and is lined with giant banyan trees, historic homes and landmarks like the historic Deering Estate and Matheson Hammock Park.